Petrochem Plants Losing Out to Rivals Due to Gas Supply Cuts 

Petrochemical plants’ foreign exchange revenues have reduced and they are losing market share to rivals because their access to natural gas as feedstock has either been totally cut or severely curbed, the head of the Energy Commission of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture said.
“Although there is heavy demand for urea fertilizers all over the globe, Iranian petrochemical sector is lagging behind due to a lack of gas feedstock,” Arash Najafi was also quoted as saying by ILNA.
The farming year has already started in many countries and a large number of farmers are planting crops, meaning the agro sector needs a wide range of urea-based products. However, Iranian petrochemical plants have ceased the production of key commodities [instead of doubling their output] as they do not have access to natural gas, he rued.
Urea demand peaks between November and February, but it cannot be stored in depots.